Firemen's Association State of Pennsylvania - FASP

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Memorial Service Program, Invocation, Memorial Message and Benediction from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Volunteer Firemen's Federation's 88th Annual Convention in Jermyn, Lackawanna County, PA. September 15, 2018....

2018 Memorial Service Invocation and Memorial Address....

Fireman’s service September 15, 2018
Invocation
Good morning, we have come together this morning to celebrate and recognize the blessing that God has given us in the form of our volunteer firemen and firewomen.
Volunteers are a very special breed. They’re not afraid to step in when they see the need. They’re always willing to lend a hand. They share their skills, talents, and time. And in return, they don’t ask for a dime.
Volunteers do what they can to ease the suffering of others, they do what they can to be of service to their fellow brothers and sisters.
Our local communities are extremely fortunate to have such a large, well-trained, dedicated group of people who so willingly serve their friends and neighbors as volunteer firefighters.
And so, today five counties have come together to recognize and remember those giving, caring individuals who – over and over again - rushed in - doing their very best - to save victims of crisis.
Today we will recognize each one who gave so much of themselves for the good of others.
No longer with us in flesh, they will always remain with us in spirit.
And so, we thank God for the gift of these dedicated people who selflessly gave so much – their time, their efforts, their strength. They have blessed our lives and the lives of so many others. Again and again, they answered the call of those in need. We are confident that today they rest safely in God’s care, yet today, and always, they also rest in our hearts.
We give great thanks for the service of those who came before, those who serve today and those who will step up to the challenge in the future. Thanks be to God.
Amen

Let us be in prayer...

Message for Memorial Service of NEPVFF
September 15, 2018
Pastor Linda Eckersley
1st United Methodist Church of Jermyn
Scripture Isaiah 6: 8
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I spoke up and said, “Here am I. Send me.”

“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And they answered; “Here I am, send me.”
And so today we gather to honor those who did answer the call. Those who did answer, “Here I am, send me.”

“I know just the right person for the job!”
How many times have we heard that phrase – or even said it ourselves. We hear it during election times when people tell us who they think are the best candidates. We might hear it at work when people are suggested for vacant positions. We even hear it when people talk about positions on our favorite sports teams
It’s a saying we use when we’re excited or confident in someone’s skills or talents – the things that we feel make someone qualified to do a certain job.
I’m sure even God looks at us and says - “I know just the right person for the job!”
After all, God has prepared us through the education he has put into our lives, and the skills, talents and abilities that he has created us with. God has prepared us for the task at hand - For God does equip his people for service.
And firemen and women, first responders, search and rescue crews - they do serve.
The call goes out and the firefighter answers, “Here I am”

The volunteer firefighters step up and they volunteer – they are not bullied into service, they are not paid for their service, they receive nothing of material value for their service – they simply answer, “here I am” and they go. They answer the call.

We read the 23 Psalm this morning – a psalm that offers us peace and hope. A psalm that talks about walking in the valley of death - a place that is difficult to be in, but also a place where we can experience the presence of God.
When this psalm was written by King David – the valley was an actual place in the Holy Land of Israel. It was an area that travelers would have to walk through to get from one part of Israel to another. And it was an area that was known for its dangers – people could be robbed, beaten or even murdered. In fact, some theologians believe this was the area where the story of the good Samaritan took place.
But as frightening a place as the valley of the shadow of death might be, David said that when he walked through that place he was not afraid…because God was with him…his rod, his staff they comfort me.
And God still gives that protection and help to us today.
Life can be a walk in the valley of death – life can be dark - life can be dangerous for life does seem to be a mixture of good and bad, love and hatred, joy and sorrow, life and death.
Things seem to go well for us at one moment, then somehow in the next moment it is matched by equal amounts of misfortune.
And many of us will have that kind of walk in our lives. Disasters, accidents, falls, illness, fires, floods – they all can strike – any of us- at any time. And when they do – we all will have a much greater appreciation for those “first responders.”
When our call for help goes out and when our call is answered with “here I am” – then we truly realize just how much we depend on the men and women whose job it is to step into harms way to rescue the rest of us. Then we truly appreciate the volunteer who gives so much of themselves just to give us a hand.
At some time or another, most every one of us will owe much – if not our very lives – to those who are in the search and rescue business.
Locally we depend on a volunteer fire department – people who give of their time and talent and dedication – all on a volunteer basis. They give their all, expecting nothing in return. They make sure their skills are up to date, they make sure they know how to use all the different kinds of equipment that just might be needed to save your house or even your life. They give of their time to train – and then train some more – all out of the goodness of their hearts.
They get the call and they drop what they are doing and run – to a car accident, to a grass fire, to a house fire, even to a treed cat – never knowing when any of these things can turn into a life and death matter.
They risk their lives to save others – for these are men and women in the rescue business.
Volunteer firefighters, emts, search and rescue crews - they help their neighbors, they help their friends, they help their families, they help the stranger – not because it is their job – they do it because there is a need. They answer the call.
We remember Jesus’ words as he answered the question; “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Matthew 12: 29 gives us Jesus’ response; “The most important one is this; love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. And the second is this; “love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
And the volunteer forces of men and women answer the call and serve and love their neighbor.
But none of these volunteers works alone – just as scripture tells us that the body is made up of many parts – none more important or less important than the other – and all being part of the body of Christ – volunteers work together to accomplish much – together.
Think of the fire ladder – the ladder has many moving parts that work together for a common goal.
When you grab a ladder from the truck you don’t even consider all of those parts, you’re just focused on completing your assigned task.
The rungs, beams, pawls, halyard, pulley and ladder locks are just some of the parts of that ladder – parts all needed to have one functioning ladder. And that ladder must be regularly cleaned and checked to make sure everything is functioning as it should be, so it’s ready when needed.
Just one of those parts – missing or broken – and nothing works right – the ladder doesn’t go up, it can’t be raised to reach those upper floors. Every part is truly important and needed,
Just as Christ needs us all to work together, each doing their assigned job – so the volunteer fire company or rescue team or rescue crew must all work together to accomplish their assigned job.
When you don’t use your God-given ability for Christ, the whole body suffers.
When one volunteer doesn’t use their God-given abilities for the whole group, the whole group suffers.
We are designed to work together – for Christ, for each other, for the fire department, for those in their time of need.
I’d like to share a little story with you; it’s titled;
When God Made Firefighters
When God was creating firefighters, he was into the sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said; “You’re doing a lot of extra work on this one.”
And the Lord said; “Have you read the specs on this order? A firefighter has to wake up to a fire alarm, go into burning buildings to rescue people and enter areas the normal person wouldn’t go.
“He has to be willing to leave his family and put his life on the line, work to exhaustion and beyond, and then be ready for the next call.
“He has to have a strong commitment to a personal calling that places their lives in jeopardy every day.
“He has to be in top physical and mental condition at all times, function on black coffee and half-eaten meals, and have a heart big enough to love members of the “brother-hood” world-wide, and have a unity of purpose”
The angel shook its head slowly and said, “A heart that big – no way.”
“It’s not the heart that is causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the extra hands and eyes a firefighter has to have.”
“That has to be on the standard model?” asked the angel.
The Lord nodded, “One pair of eyes that sees the whole situation, another pair that sees what is ahead to be dealt with, a third pair to watch out for his brothers, and another pair in front can look reassuringly at an injured victim and say, “You’ll be alright,” even when he knows it isn’t so.”
“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve, “rest and work on this tomorrow.”
“I can’t,” said the Lord. “I already have a model that can carry a 190-pound victim out of a burning building, has dedicated his lift to helping people, and is willing to come to the aid of those threatened by the deadly force of fire.”
The angel circled the model of the firefighter very slowly, “Can it think?” the angel asked.
“You bet,” said the Lord. “It can tell you the elements of a hundred fires, the victims and rescues, and the importance of fire safety – and still keep its sense of humor.
“This firefighter also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with fire scenes painted in hell, coax a trapped person or animal out of a burning building, and still go home and love his family.
“Being a firefighter is one of bravery, loyalty and devotion to public service. He is willing to put his life on the line every day to protect our homes and our loved ones from the devasting effects of fire, and sometimes, the honorable job of saving lives requires many firefighters to pay the ultimate price for their valor in the line of duty.”
Finally, the angel ran a finger across the cheek of the firefighter. “There’s a leak,” the angel pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”
“That’s not a leak,” the Lord said. “It’s a tear.”
“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.
“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for the victims, and for commitment to that piece of cloth called the American flag.”
“You’re a genius, “said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.
I did not have the honor of knowing most of the people we are honoring here this morning – but even without knowing them I am reasonably sure of one thing about everyone of them – none of them thought they were special, none of them thought they should – or would – be honored for what they gave and did for others.
And that is exactly what makes them so special.
They were good, dependable, dedicated, caring people.
They were true neighbors. They were people who saw a need and took care of it.
They were volunteers who stood up and answered the call.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I spoke up and said, “Here am I. Send me.”
Prayer
Dear Lord, today we thank you for those who are so often called to protect us from the dangers of fires and accidents that can so quickly threaten our live. Today we pray for our volunteer firefighters – those of today, those of yesterday and those of tomorrow. Those who unselfishly put their lives on the line in order to provide help and support for victims of life’s dangers. When these brave souls face danger – we ask that you be their stronghold. When they feel inadequate – help them do all things through Christ. When they are upset – give them peace at all times and in every way. When they are exhausted – give them your strength. When they are overwhelmed – may your grace be sufficient. When things seem impossible – remind them that you are with them. When they don’t know what to do – show them. When they are in trouble – be their ever-present help. When they are confused – give them a sound mind. When they are afraid – help them trust in you. When their hearts grow faint – be their rock. Bring them through fire and flood, that they may praise you. Amen
Benediction
As our service comes to a close, let us take a moment and give thanks to the One who makes all things possible.
Let us be in prayer;
Dear Lord,
We remember today all those who have come before us and so unselfishly served others in their communities.
Today is for remembering – and we stand in honor of those who answered the call with “Here I am”, we remember all they gave to their neighbors, and we hold them close in our hearts with praise and thanksgiving.
May the Lord bless us and keep us, may the Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us, may the Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace, both now and forevermore.
And as we leave this place, may we each have safe travel until we reach our destinations. Amen
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